Election 2023: Banks Peninsula, the most engaged electorate in the city
In the lead-up to the 2023 general election, The Press is profiling Canterbury’s electoral races. Here’s what you need to know about the candidates running to be Banks Peninsula’s MP. (By reporter Liz McDonald)
Formerly known as Port Hills, the electorate takes in all of Banks Peninsula and the suburbs around Lyttelton Harbour and the Port Hills, as well as Sumner to Ferrymead, Woolston, St Martins, Somerfield, and parts of Halswell and Bromley.
Physically, it is dominated by hills, valleys, harbours, and the Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River.
Banks Peninsula’s percentage of voters aged 40-plus is higher than the national average.
Almost a quarter of the electorate were born overseas, and almost 10% listed themselves as Māori.
Twenty-four per cent were in rented homes, and 15% had had spent more than 15 years in the same home, making it the second most settled electorate in the country.
The electorate’s residents are already very engaged in the election. In 2020 it had a bumper turnout of 89% of enrolled voters, one of the highest in the country.
This year 98% of Banks Peninsula’s eligible votes are enrolled, more than any other Christchurch electorate, and with 56,000 voters on the general roll it has the most voters in the city.
Current MP Tracey McLellan won the seat for Labour in 2020 with 51.9% of the vote, and a healthy majority of 13,000-plus. Next came National’s Catherine Chu with 25%, who was then a Christchurch city councillor, and the Greens’ Eugenie Sage, a sitting list MP now in her final term, with 12.7%.
Labour also captured a majority of the party vote, with 50.5%.
This time around McLellan is the only repeat Banks Peninsula candidate, but she has some well-known challengers.
National’s contender is Vanessa Weenink - a first-time candidate who was previously a member of the Labour Party who campaigned for MP Duncan Webb at the last election. She has been chair of NZ Medical Association’s general practitioner council, and deputy chair of the NZMA board. Until recently she worked as a general practitioner and was previously an NZ Army medical officer in Afghanistan and East Timor.
Lan Pham will represent the Green Party for the first time, taking over from Sage. Pham is a freshwater ecologist who founded the Working Waters Trust. She was an Environment Canterbury councillor for six years and ECan’s highest ever polling candidate. She sits high on the Green Party list at number six.
ACT’s candidate is Laura Trask, who sits at number 10 on her party’s list. Trask was a pharmacist who is now an employer. She runs a family business handling emergency response planning for organisations and businesses.
Standing for the NZ First Party will be Lindsay Kerslake, who has a background in farming and business, and has held governance roles in the horse racing industry.
The remaining candidates are Doug Allington (Democracy NZ), Paran Jeet (Animal Justice Party), Lisa Mead (NewZeal), and Peter Wakeman (Independent).
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
-
64.2% Yes
-
33.4% No
-
2.4% Other - I'll share below
Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
Loading…
